Poquoson's Ferguson Is Best At 135

Grundy Earns Team Title In Islander Classic

December 17, 1989|By MIKE KEECH Staff Writer

HAMPTON — The Islander Classic wrestling tournament proved to be just that for Poquoson's Bubba Ferguson Saturday. The defending Group AA state champion at 135 pounds decisioned former nemesis Charles Branch of Petersburg 9-5 in the finals at Holland Hall.

Ferguson, who was 0-2 lifetime against Branch, including a loss last year's Islander Classic finals, joined teammate Nick Franks, the 152-pound champion, in lifting Poquoson to a sixth-place finish.

Grundy lived up to its defending state Group AA team champion billing, amassing 232 1/2 points to win the event for the second time in its four year existence.

Last season's Group AAA state champion Great Bridge was second in the 32-team field, 25 points behind the Golden Wave.

"This meant almost as much to me as winning the state championship," Ferguson said. "Last year, I wasn't in shape and had a poor attitude when he (Branch) beat me. This time I was ready and wrestled a smart match instead of trying for the pin. I wanted it and he didn't."

Ferguson pinned his first four opponents in the two-day event, including Great Bridge's Ryan Foltz in the semifinals.

"I didn't know anything about the Great Bridge guy, but had good luck with some tilt and setup moves to get takedowns," said Ferguson, who names Old Dominion, Virginia and West Virginia as his top collegiate choices.

"Playing football this fall really helped my strength. I think Coach (Wayne) Gibson's Granby system is helping the whole team."

Great Bridge's Jody Staylor, the state champion at 130 pounds, was named the tournament's outstanding wrestler. He recorded four pins and won his title match 11-0.

Grundy Coach W.J. Caudill was surprised by his team's success.

"We didn't expect to win it," he said. "We came in just hoping to place in the top five.

"Our young kids won it for us. We got unexpected success from freshmen Shane Bowman and Eric Kendrick and sophomore Brian Large. And our veterans came through as we expected them to."

Bowman was the runnerup at 103 pounds. Kendrick reached the quarterfinals at 112.

York Coach Mike Furiness was pleased with his team's ninth-place finish, its best ever in the event.

"We lost Chris Monroe with broken ribs early in the consolation rounds this morning and Cedric Carter couldn't compete today because of an illness," he said. "They would have helped us, but overall we had a good showing."

Brian Hartley, runnerup to Franks at 152, was the Falcons' highest finisher.

Hartley sliced a 4-0 deficit to 4-3 in the final 20 seconds against Franks, who avenged an 8-4 loss to the York wrestler in last season's Region I tournament.